by Alycia Morales

Created on: February 28, 2009

With the increasing need for two incomes in the family and a decrease in the ability to find appropriate or sufficient child care programs, I believe that a mother should have the right to bring her child to work with her, as well as be provided with child care on the job site. I know that many will be guffawing this statement, wondering why an employer should be responsible to fund such a thing, but let me support my statement.

I am a mother to four children. They are all under 10 years of age. I have had to make the decision, with my husband's support, to stay home with our children, raising them in a loving and nurturing environment. We have only recently been forced to look into my going back out into the workforce. Now, I'm faced with a dilemma.

I don't trust the public school system to educate my children. I don't agree with their teaching agendas, and there are things that I would rather not have my children exposed to. On the other hand, I can't afford to send them all to private schools, as there is no "help" or "assistance" in tuition to these establishments. Thirdly, when one takes the time to count the cost, I can't exactly afford childcare for four children for an 8 hour day, either. By the time I pay for either daycare or private school, I have approximately $50 left of my paycheck, IF I'm working for a decent salary. What's the use of working? Yet, our family needs the extra income.

Why don't you start your own business, you may ask. Why don't you work from home, you may ask. That is great if one has a spirit of entrepreneurship. But what about those moms out there who don't have that spirit in them? Now, I plead their case. It would be fairly simple for an employer to set up a child care situation at their offices. Put a playground outside. Set up two or three employees who are dedicated to children and trained in daycare. Think about the jobs that alone could create. If your company can't afford it, have the moms donate a percentage of their income each week or month that could help with the funding of their daycare provision. I'm not talking charge them fully for daycare, as again, this doesn't afford them the opportunity to bring home any income at the end of the week. I'm saying let them co-fund with the place of employment.

The benefit to the employer for providing in-office daycare is a huge one. They get a mom who is obviously concerned about the well-being of her family. That is a sign of true dedication. They get a mom who wants to come

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